How to get Windows 10 Mobile

If the upgrade is available for your existing Windows Phone 8.1 device, you can install it. To check for and install the upgrade, download the Upgrade Advisor app from the Store. Open the app, then select Enable Windows 10 upgrade.

Notes

The availability of Windows 10 Mobile as an upgrade for existing Windows Phone 8.1 devices will vary by device manufacturer, device model, country or region, mobile operator or service provider, hardware limitations, and other factors.

If the update to Windows 10 Mobile is available for your Windows Phone 8.1 device, here are some things to keep in mind before you start:

Plug your phone into a charger to make sure it doesn't run out of power during the upgrade.

Connect your phone to a Wi‑Fi network. Because of the size of the update, a Wi‑Fi connection is required for download and installation.

It’s a good idea to back up your settings, apps, photos, and text messages to the cloud before installing the update. To set up backups, on Start , swipe over to the All apps list, and then select Settings > Backup, and then follow the instructions.

Rename your phone to make sure you don't overwrite your Windows Phone 8.1 backup after upgrading to Windows 10 Mobile. To rename your phone, on Start ﻿, swipe over to the All apps list, and then select Settings ﻿> About > Edit name.

Free up enough storage space to download and install the update. You can use the Upgrade Advisor app and it will recommend files, such as videos or photos, that you can move to OneDrive or an SD card, if you have one installed. You can also connect your phone to a PC and move your files there. After the upgrade, you can move files back to your phone if there's enough space.

Note

If you remove apps from your phone, you can reinstall them from the Store after the upgrade if there's enough space. Deleting an app will erase app data, such as saved progress in a game.

If the upgrade is available for your existing Windows Phone 8.1 device, you can install it. To check for and install the upgrade, download the Upgrade Advisor app from the Store. Open the app, then select Enable Windows 10 upgrade.

On Start , swipe over to the All apps list, and then select Settings > Phone update, and then install the update. You can choose to install the update immediately or postpone the update for a more convenient time.

Notes

To check for updates, on Start , swipe over to the All apps list, and then select Settings > Phone update > Check for updates. Make sure the check boxes for Tell me when updates are available for my phone and Automatically download updates if my data settings allow it are selected.

On Windows Phone 8.1 devices that are running OS version 8.10.14219.341 or higher, you can schedule to install downloaded software updates later. On Start , swipe over to the All apps list, and then select Settings > Phone update > Preferred install time.

Depending on the model of your Windows Phone 8.1 device and the number of apps installed, the upgrade might take an hour or more to complete. You won’t be able to use your phone during the installation and it will restart a few times.

After the upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile is complete, some additional time might be necessary to finish migrating data and apps. If some app tiles don’t appear active or you’re not able to open them, keep your phone plugged in a charger and connected to Wi‑Fi, and wait for these apps to finish updating. If an app tile is missing from Start, check the App list for the app, and pin it to Start, or go to the Store and see if a new version of the app is available.

Additional app updates might need to be installed from the Store for some features to work on your phone. To check for app updates in Windows 10 Mobile, on Start , swipe over to the All apps list, and then select Store > Menu > Downloads and updates > Check for updates.

Make sure to download and install any updates that are available for your upgraded phone. On Start , swipe over to the All apps list, and then select Settings > Update & security > Phone update > Check for updates.

The best way to know if the upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile is available for your phone is to install and open the Upgrade Advisor app.

If the upgrade is available for your phone and you used the Upgrade Advisor app to enable the upgrade, but you're having problems downloading or installing it, wait a few minutes and then try again later. When installing the update, it's a good idea to make sure your battery is fully charged (or plug in your phone), use a Wi‑Fi connection instead of a cellular data connection, and free up space by removing files you no longer need.

If you upgraded your Windows Phone 8.1 device to Windows 10 Mobile, you can use the Windows Device Recovery Tool to rollback to a previous version. For more info about this tool, see Windows Device Recovery Tool: FAQ.